Decision making had been so much easier when Sally was married. Joe, her husband, was always there to listen and give her valued feedback. How she had come to depend on his steady presence.

Marianne had long been accustomed to making executive decisions at work. She objectively researched, analyzed and weighed all options with good success.

Joan had always been pretty confident and competent in making her own decisions. She made good choices. She saw her future clearly and positively…until Seth was born.

Sally, Marianne and Joan had been able to stay grounded and secure in their process of decision making. They didn’t doubt what worked for them…that is, until life changed.

Sally lost Joe. Now she was a widow, struggling with her grief. All that had been so cherished and familiar in her life was gone.

Marianne lost her job, becoming a casualty of company downsizing. Along with that blow, was the loss of her objectivity and analytical abilities for decision making.

Should I or Shouldn’t I? That became the mantra for each of these women as they confronted choices and decision making in their life transitions. A wrong choice could have dire consequences… or could it?

Should I or Shouldn’t I? is decision making that resides outside of us. What am I supposed to do? Someone, please give me the answers! I don’t trust myself to make the right choice!

What if we could look at decision making as, What do I need to do? Will my choices support who I am and who I aspire to be? Can I base my choices on what feels right for me and my loved ones?

Even if that decision turns out not to have been the wisest one, can we take it in as a learning experience instead of a blaming experience?

How about you? Do you look inside or outside yourself in your own decision making? Are you able to recognize and value your own inner resources and abilities that can guide you? Are you stuck in the mantra of Should I or Shouldn’t I?

I’d love to hear from you and help you discover your inner abilities to navigate your life transition, building your self-confidence to make choices towards your future. Together, we could work towards freeing you from Should I or Shouldn’t I?